The Man Who Knew Too Much [1955]

Amazon.co.uk Review

Alfred Hitchcock's 1956 remake of his own 1934 spy thriller is an exciting event in its own right, with several justifiably famous sequences. James Stewart and Doris Day play American tourists who discover more than they wanted to know about an assassination plot. When their son is kidnapped to keep them quiet, they are caught between concern for him and the terrible secret they hold. When asked about the difference between this version of the story and the one he made 22 years earlier, Hitchcock always said the first was the work of a talented amateur while the second was the act of a seasoned professional. Indeed, several extraordinary moments in this update represent consummate film-making, particularly a relentlessly exciting Albert Hall scene, with a blaring symphony, an assassin's gun, and Doris Day's scream. Along with Hitchcock's other films from the mid-1950s to 1960 (including Vertigo, Rear Window, and Psycho), The Man Who Knew Too Much is the work of a master in his prime. --Tom Keogh, Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

An entertaining thriller.......2007-11-18

Hitchcock's 'The Man Who Knew Too Much' is a remake of his own black and white film from 22 years earlier. By this stage of his career Hitchcock was at his peak producing classic film after classic film. Two years after this film Vertigo would follow, then North By Northwest and then Psycho. That this film isn't quite as good as those three doesn't mean you shouldn't buy it, as I'm sure it will benefit from repeated viewings and the great scenes (and there are quite a few) are stunningly good.

James Stewart plays Dr McKenna, who with his family is on holiday in North Africa when he unwittingly becomes involved in a murder plot. Stewart as always is very watchable and Doris Day is rather good as his wife. As always with Hitchcock there are a number of stunning set pieces which merit purchase of the film in their own right. Perhaps best of all is the extended scene at the Albert Hall which is marvellously shot. I thought this was especially great as the film composer Bernard Hermann is seen conducting the Orchestra and is credited on the billboard outside the hall as well. Hermann did the music for Citzen Kane, Psycho, Taxi Driver and Cape Fear and its rare to see film of him.

For me its only real flaw was that it was a little too long. Still thats always subjective and if Hitchcock thought 1 hour 55mins was the right length who am I to argue with the master. So be of no doubt this is a film thats worth buying. It is also in the 14 film Hitchcock box set, which if you can get a decent price is a great buy as well.

One of his time fillers.......2007-08-12

This film starts very well with a gripping murder scene and some intriguing developments on location in North Africa. When the couple return to London, the viewer is really expecting a lot more suspense to be delivered by Hitchcock, but he seems to be a bit off form in this picture. His handling is not as intense as it usually is and I was feeling less intrigued than fed up waiting for the rather obvious type of ending. The story was there for it to be a much better suspense, but it sort of just fizzled out by the time the handover came. I agree that casting the too perfect Miss Day was an error. She is not a Hitchcockian female in the slightest. (I realise the focus of the film wasn't on her, but you want a female lead with a bit more mystery about her in any Hitchcock movie, as this is what you look for.) This should have been a much better film, but you just sense that Hitchcock had his mind on other more challenging projects.

One of Hitchcock's "entertainments," and a pleasant two hours it is.......2007-07-28

I like The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956; I've never seen the 1934 version) the same way I like To Catch a Thief. Both are big, fat, satisfying entertainments made by professionals at the top of their game but perhaps without much to chew on afterwards. This isn't much of a criticism; I just don't put the film in the same category of some of Hitchcock's other, greater films. One weakness (which also is a strength) is Doris Day. When she's sobbing and being hysterical she gets on my nerves. It's too much and too "actorly." Her strength in the movie is that for most of the time she's good company, and she's believable as a woman who will do what it takes to rescue her son. She paired well with Stewart in both star power and likable personality.

I do think the movie is too long, the curse of so many movies beginning in the Fifties. For me, this undermined some of the set pieces; I wanted Hitchcock to get a move on. The scenes I particularly liked were the unease and suspicion that developed in the church, the cocktail party chit chat, the build-up in the Albert Hall and the rescue of Hank.

And let's hear it for some fine actors who made appearances. I have a lot of admiration for Brenda de Banzie who played the wife of Bernard Miles. She was a fine actress; just see her in The Entertainer as Olivier's wife or in Hobson's Choice when she makes a man of John Mills and masters Charles Laughton (who detested her). Bernard Miles was a first class actor who could play just about anything but aristocrats. For those who like medals and honors, Miles was made a Sir in 1969 and became a lord in 1979 (the first actor to do so after Olivier). Not bad for the son of a farm laborer and a cook. The cocktail party had some old friends it was good to see. Among the familiar faces were Alan Mobray, Hillary Brooke and Carolyn Jones. And among the best of the best is Reggie Nalder, who played the assassin. According to IMBd, he was a handsome guy who, when a young man, was burned severely over the bottom third of his face. He was a chilling killer in The Man Who Knew Too Much who made the premise of the film -- a political assassination -- believable and dreadful.

Quite possibly the worst Hitchcock movie ever made!.......2007-04-14

It's hard to know where to start but I'll quote my wife - "well that's almost 2 hours of my life gone that I'll never get back". Casting Doris Day in a dramatic role was possibly the biggest mistake as her acting was dreadful and wooden; and the story was so badly disjointed and unbeleivable that I didn't know whether to laugh or cry, a Hitchcock movie with a singing part?! I'm a big Hitchcock fan but I think he made a terrible mistake remaking this movie.

If there was a zero rating this movie would get it.

Excellent Thriller.......2006-01-19

"The Man Who Knew Too Much" is an enjoyable thriller featuring good acting performances from James Stewart and Doris Day ,as Mr and Mrs McKenna ,and several memorable and indeed famous scenes. These include the dramatic finale in the Royal Albert Hall and Doris Day's emotional rendition of the song "Que Sera Sera" at the Embassy. The action shifts from Marrakech in French Morocco to London as Stewart and Day's characters follow a lead left by a dying man as they attempt to find their son who has been kidnapped by a mysterious British couple. The suspense is maintained to the very end superbly well by Hitchcock. If the film has one flaw , it concerns the confusion over the identity and motivations of the group who kidnapped the McKenna boy and whose Embassy it was. The film doesnt really reveal that adequately. Other than that , "The Man Who Knew Too Much" is a classic film that stil holds up well today , fifty years after it's release.

Average customer rating:

The Man Who Knew Too Much [1955]
Starring: James Stewart , Doris Day , Brenda De Banzie , Daniel Gelin , and Bernard Miles
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Manufacturer: Universal Pictures UK
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

All Classics | Classics | Categories | DVD | Video

All Crime, Thrillers & Mystery | Crime, Thrillers & Mystery | Categories | DVD | Video

Thrillers | Crime, Thrillers & Mystery | Categories | DVD | Video

Alfred Hitchcock | Crime, Thrillers & Mystery | Categories | DVD | Video

DVD | Format (binding_browse-bin) | Refinements | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B000PMFNVY
Release Date: 2007-06-04

DVD:

DVD List

DVD